Bird flu precaution: Helsinki to ban open-air cafes at open markets

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The City of Helsinki is ordering that cafes operating in connection with open markets keep their activities inside marquee tents this summer.
      For now, the new regulation is limited to open markets, where birds typically congregate. Although there are no restrictions planned on other outdoor cafes and bars in other parts of Helsinki, city veterinarian Riikka Åberg recommends that they be covered by a canopy.
      All stands selling food at open markets will have to have a roof and walls in back and on the sides to prevent contact with birds. Vendors will be required to use covered boxes to transport their wares, to keep the food from being contaminated by bird faeces.
      Although the move is primarily a precaution against avian flu during the upcoming bird migration season, Åberg says that there have been complaints in previous years about birds causing a nuisance at open market cafes. "Last year we got many complaints about birds, especially sea gulls at Market Square, snatching food out of people’s hands."
     
Hundreds of vendors at Market Square, Hakaniemi, and Hietalahti were given instructions from the city on Monday. There are just under 100 regular vendors at Market Square. On a sunny summer day there can be up to 200, but not all of them sell food.
      "We wanted to inform the vendors well in advance before the open market season begins, so that they might prepare in time. No dates have been set", Åberg adds.
      Anja Snellman, the owner of the oldest and largest café stall at Market Square, says that there have been attempts to deal with the sea gull problem in previous years. One measure has been to cover outdoor tables with parasols. There have also been attempts to frighten sea gulls away, but they have worked for only short periods of time.
     
Snellman notes that good marquees are expensive.
      "They need to stand upright. They must be made of good rainproof cloth, and have to be well sewn."
      "Bird flu is a matter that has to be taken seriously. We will try to live according to the rules", Snellman adds.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Finland to vaccinate whole population if bird flu pandemic breaks out (16.3.2006)

Helsingin Sanomat